Conversations

The girls had some Mom-&-Dad-free time with relatives in Duluth this past weekend. Abby, especially, is very in tune with the world around her and she is not afraid to ask anything. Here are a few conversations between Abby, her cousin Jess, and her Aunt Kathleen.



Abby: What's that on your face?
Jess: A zit
Abby: A zit? Will it go away?
Jess: Yeah, it shows up one day and is gone in a couple of days.
Abby: I don't want a zit.
Jess: Me neither, but it's all a part of getting older.



We were watching a part of Aladdin. At the end of the movie when they are confronting the sorcerer, Jasmine was telling Jafar that she should have "never trusted him". Abby asked me if "trust" was a bad word. I told her that when I was helping her jump the rocks I asked her if she felt safe with me holding her hand to make the jump. She said yes and I told her that she had trust in me that I wouldn't let her fall.

Abby: Where do you live?
Kathleen: This is my house, I live here.
Abby: Will you move to Ohio?
Kathleen: No, I can't because I live in Minnesota.
Abby: You can come to Ohio in the summer, but we swim in the winter.

Abby: Do wear a bra?
Kathleen: Yes, I do.
Abby: Do you wear one with your dresses?
Kathleen: Yes, I wear one all the time.
Abby: I have a bra.
Kathleen: You do?
Abby: Yeah, it's part of my swimsuit.



I was coloring with both girls - I love to color:
Jess: Mom, I bet you wish we were little again.
Me: Yes, they were some of the best days of my life.
I wouldn't trade being at home with you guys for anything.
--Aunt Kathleen


Neither would I!

Fashion Finale

It is evident I jumped the gun with the last picture. The girls have one more piece of fashion advice: never be afraid to accessorise!

No joke, this is really how they roll.

Fashion 101

In the interest of fairness, Lauren is not the only child of mine to show off her oufit-matching skills. Abby, too, is a fashionista all her own. And just in case you are left in the dark when it comes to pulling clothes from your closet, here a few things you should keep in mind: stripes do go with stripes, and purple is purple.... if the sweater has purple & so do the pants you're good to go!

I have yet to get to the bottom of the Christmas socks.

Miss Matched

Watch out New York, Paris.... this is hot off the runways of Ohio.

The girls learned quickly what it means to match a shirt to pants. I no longer get to choose outfits, because their latest skill involves matching clothes. Note to parents: when teaching your children to match clothes, follow it up quickly with a lesson on coordinating.

Move over Wenatchee shirt, and make way for Myrtle Beach, SC.

Happy matching.

Candy Necklaces

This is one of the girls' favorite projects. Now that they've gotten the hang of it and can do it with ease, I use it as a way to keep them occupied while I get things done.... like putting away groceries. Best of all, it isn't even candy. Shhhh, don't tell them that!

You will need:

Fruity Cheerios

1 mm. elastic cord

Scissors

1. Cut elastic cord to desired length.

2. Tie one Cheerio to either end of the cord, leaving an inch or two to tie the necklace when it is complete. This way when the child picks up the necklace the Cheerios don't all come sliding off.

3. Place Cheerios on cord, one at a time until there is about two inches of cord left.

4. Tie necklace and its ready to wear and eat!

It took the girls a little while to get the hang of it, but now they are pros. Lauren was about two and a half when we first started this project, and she actually picked it up faster than Abby, who is 15 months older.

At this age, for my girls, the fun is in the creation. For older children this makes for a great lesson in patterns and mathematics!

Getting Pooped

Lauren and I have spent hours outside this afternoon, busy with Spring cleaning. A few moments ago, while working the manual edger on the driveway & sidewalk, I came to an intensely thick patch of grass. I announced, without thought, that I was getting pooped. Also without thought, Lauren (always quick to assist) came right over and gave me a full-fisted gauntlet in the bung. "Thanks, Lauren," I said. "Not that kind of pooped."

Kids are so literal.

Cute as a Button Flower Pots

The girls and I like to make goodies for the neighbors, and came up with a fun one for spring! This is actually two projects in one and can be adapted to fit a variety of skill levels. It makes for a cheery display and a tasty treat!


Finger Print Flowers

You will need:
Construction paper
Acrylic paint--2 colors
Glue
Flower pattern (I traced a cookie cutter onto cardboard)
Green chenille stems
Scissors
Scotch tape

How to make it:
1. Trace & cut the simple flower shapes from construction paper.
2. Dip child's finger into acrylic paint & dap off excess. Then press onto each petal. Use a contrasting color to make a print in the center of the flower.
3. Tape green chenille stem to the back of the flower; spiral stems if desired.
4. Display in candy-filled Cute as a Button Flower Pot.


Cute as a Button Flower Pot

You will need:
Flower pots
Assorted Buttons
Glue

How to make it:
Glue buttons one at a time around rim of pot. Allow to dry for several hours.


Finishing Touches

You will need:
Large clear treat bags
Paper shred
Ribbon
Candy to fill pot (we chose Robin's Eggs & Peanut M&Ms)
Tag (optional)
We also added a stemmed egg to garnish (Michael's craft store--Easter section)

How to make it:
1. Place a small amount of paper shred in the bottom of the treat bag.
2. Nest the flower pot, filled with candy, comfortably in the paper shred.
3. Stick flowers (& garnishing egg) into candy.
4. Loop hole-punched tag through ribbon & tie bag around flower stems so the flowers themselves are sticking out the top of the bag.
5. Trim ribbon on each end and voula!

Happy Spring!